Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov said the four-day exercise launched Wednesday will help “raise government efficiency while dealing with the consequences of large-scale emergencies.” Puchkov said his ministry can ensure “uninterrupted transport, energy supplies and communications” . . .

The nation’s Cold War-era civil protection system that included a sprawling network of shelters in every city was dismantled after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but the Emergencies Ministry has worked to restore some of its elements.